Turning Pain into Power: Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott on Justice, Media, and helping survivors find their voice

Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott’s name has become synonymous with resilience and reform in the fight for justice for survivors of sexual assault. In 2017, she reported her rape, a decision that led to years of legal and emotional struggle, culminating in a rare apology and compensation from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in 2024. Her case, which was complicated by the controversial use of a “sexsomnia” defence, exposed serious failings in how the justice system engages with medical evidence, and it has since become a touchstone for much-needed discussion on accountability and reform.

Jade Blue has used her experience to campaign for systemic change. She has shared her story through documentaries such as the BBC’s Sexsomnia: Case Closed?, and recently launched Make Yourself Heard, a survivor-led platform that harnesses art, culture, and storytelling to amplify marginalised voices. In this interview, she reflects on the intersections of law and medicine, the power and responsibility of media, and the enduring drive behind her advocacy work.

Your case involving the ‘sexsomnia’ claim resulted in a rare apology and compensation from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). How has this experience shaped your views on the legal and medical intersections in handling sexual assault cases?

It showed me how dangerous it is when medical arguments are used without scrutiny to derail justice. “Sexsomnia” became a convenient narrative that overshadowed the reality of what happened. The CPS should never have accepted that at face value. My case underlined for me the urgent need for both the justice system and medical experts to handle such claims with rigour and accountability - because when they don’t, survivors pay the price.

Although it has been a difficult road since my case closure in 2020, I do feel the CPS is now beginning to take the sexsomnia defence more seriously. It’s a positive development, but one that highlights how urgently change was needed.

Your story has been featured in documentaries, such as the BBC's ‘Sexsomnia: Case Closed?’ How do you view the role of the media in raising awareness, and what responsibilities should journalists and filmmakers bear when telling such sensitive and complex stories?

Media can shine a light where institutions too often close the door. ‘Sexsomnia: Case Closed?’ gave my story visibility and helped others realise they weren’t alone in facing similar experiences. I was fortunate to work with a journalist on my BBC documentary who approached the subject with real care and integrity - that kind of sensitivity is vital. With such responsibility, journalists and filmmakers must remember that survivors are not storylines but people. How these stories are told can either empower or retraumatise, and accuracy and respect must always come first.

Looking back at the emotional and legal journey, from reporting your rape in 2017 to the CPS offering an unreserved apology and compensation, what aspects of that experience continue to shape your advocacy work today?

The years of silence, disbelief, and institutional failure still drive me. Compensation can’t undo the harm, but it was a recognition that what happened was wrong. I carry forward the determination to make sure others don’t have to go through the same drawn-out battle just to be heard. My advocacy is rooted in that lived reality - pushing for systemic change so survivors can find justice, not just apologies.

Your new platform, Make Yourself Heard, is a survivor-led space that harnesses art, culture and storytelling to drive change. What inspired you to create this website, and how do you hope it will amplify voices and experiences often pushed to the margins?

I wanted to build the space I needed but never had - somewhere survivors’ voices lead, not get buried in bureaucracy or stigma. Art, culture, and storytelling are powerful because they reach people in ways reports or policies can’t. With Make Yourself Heard, my hope is to create a platform where survivors and allies can connect, express, and campaign - and where those who’ve been silenced find their stories valued and visible.

You can follow Make Yourself Heard on Instagram @myh_ldn and on LinkedIn here.

Interview by Johnny Larran. With thanks to Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott.